In 2010, the federal government set aside funding for free computers for low-income families. The money is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, with the goal of bridging the technological divide and improving education. Access to the Internet also improves people's abilities to find jobs and other resources. A dozen states, including Illinois, were targeted, with a total of $63 million dollars in grants to improve access to the Internet.
The city of Chicago received $7 million dollars in grant money, with another $2.3 million in matched funding. Five low-income neighborhoods will get computers and broadband service. The program reaches more than 11,000 residents and 500 businesses. Not only will they get the hardware, but also the training needed to use the Internet wisely. Public computer centers will be built at six community centers. Additional computers will also be sent to Business Resource Centers.
Low income families in Chicago can also apply for a free computer through the nonprofit group, Computers with Causes. This agency gives refurbished computers to educational programs. However, donations to individuals are not unheard of. Computers with Causes accepts computers from donors, rehabs them, then gives them out. They get a large number of free computer requests annually. A background check, need assessment and references are checked before the donation is approved.
The People's Resource Center in Chicago accepts computers, repairs them, then gives them to low-income families through its Computer Literacy Training and Access Program. In addition, the agency gives people software and the computer literacy training needed to use the computers as a resource. Since 1998, People's Resource Center has helped thousands of needy households with computers. The goal is to help people improve their education, employment and knowledge. PRC also holds neighborhood training sessions and classes.